23 Dogs Rescued from Suspected Alexander County, N.C. Puppy Mill

Humane Society of Charlotte, Alexander County, Alexander County Sheriff's Office

The dogs will now get thorough veterinary exams and treatment. Shannon Johnstone/For The HSUS

More than 20 dogs and puppies and one parrot were rescued from an Alexander County, N.C., property by The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society of Charlotte. The groups were called in by Alexander County and Alexander County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the rescue and removal of the animals.

After the sheriff’s office served a search and seizure warrant on the property, rescuers found a variety of dogs and puppies suffering from lack of veterinary care, with no access to clean water or food. The animals were living in filthy conditions and had little to no protection from the cold weather. The dogs had skin and eye issues, parasites and tumors. The owner agreed to surrender the animals.

Kim Alboum, North Carolina state director for The HSUS said: “The deplorable conditions these dogs were forced to live in are heartbreaking – we’re grateful to the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office for taking swift action and letting us help rescue these animals. This is the 16th puppy mill we’ve rescued animals from since June 2011. We’re hopeful North Carolina legislators will stop this terrible suffering in 2014 by passing stronger laws to protect these animals.”

There are no specific North Carolina laws to protect dogs sold directly to the public or online by commercial breeding facilities. Law enforcement officers, therefore, are unable to prevent neglect until it reaches crisis proportions. As a result, North Carolina has become a haven for some of the worst puppy mill operators in the country.

The groups have safely transported the dogs to a temporary emergency animal shelter where they will be thoroughly examined by a team of veterinarians and receive any necessary immediate medical treatment.

The HSUS has established a reward program to offer up to $5,000 to anyone who provides any information leading to the arrest and conviction of a puppy mill operator for animal cruelty. Persons wishing to report a valid tip are encouraged to call 1-877-MILL-TIP and will remain anonymous. To help dogs in commercial breeding facilities like this one, sign the pledge to stop puppy mills.